Our Company is based in Manchester, UK, however our tours are available to all English speaking customers living across the world and we have many customers from USA, Ireland, Australia, Spain, South Africa etc.

Today, we will visit the less touristy Mutianyu Section of the Great Wall. This section of the wall is also equipped with a cable car if you prefer ride, instead of walk (fee payable locally).

Take your time for breakfast, as we wait for the traffic to ease before setting off. We have allocated a full day to visit the Wall, so that we can have plenty time should you wish to enjoy a good walk.

Morning at your leisure. Your hotel is in good location should you wish to explore the surrounding area by yourselves.

We also provide an optional morning tour to the Summer Palace and 2008 Bird's Nest Olympics Stadium (exteriors only).

Later, transfer to the train station for fast speed train to Pingyao, where you will meet our local guide.

The ancient city of Pingyao is China’s best-preserved walled city and home to the oldest bank in China. The laid-back small city has maintained its traditional charm with red-lanterns hung along quaint cobbled lanes and traditional architecture dating back to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is no surprise the entire town has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a living museum providing a rare opportunity to see the vanishing culture of ancient China.

After breakfast, we start our half-day tour of one of China's best preserved ancient walled Cities.

Pingyao was considered the financial centre of China during the Qing Empire and we visit the first and largest bank in China, which once controlled half of China's Silver trade.

Afterwards, we stroll around the ancient walled town, with fascinating streets lined with rows of 17th–19th century store fronts and residences. The majority of the buildings still retain their original appearance and we enjoy a view across the roof tops of the ancient buildings.

Later we drive for about an hour, to visit the Wang Family Courtyard residence. This was the luxurious home of a high ranking official's family and where generations of the family lived for over 300 years. The vast compound is one of the largest residential complexes built by opulent Merchants.

Lunch will be arranged in a local restaurant, where we enjoy some authentic local food.

Later, we transfer to the train station. You will be met upon arrival and transferred to your hotel for a good night rest.

Today we visit the Giant Panda Breeding Research Base. We will visit in the morning, as this is the best time to watch the pandas enjoying their bamboo breakfast.

You will have plenty of time to watch the pandas and enjoy their playful antics. The Breeding Centre also usually sell a photo opportunity with a Panda (pay on the spot). Please be aware the fee is high and there is always a long queue, but it is a great souvenir.

* For guests who prefer to get an even closer to the lovely pandas, you can opt to take a full day volunteer programme at Dujiangyan Panda Base instead of the Breeding Centre. We can re-arrange the tour of Jin Li Street and Kuan Zhai Ally to day 8 in this case.*

Towards lunch time, our guide will drop you off at the popular Jin Li streetand Kuan Zai Ally, where there are plenty of cafes, restaurants, tea houses and handicraft stalls to explore. You may choose to either lingering in this charming place for a leisurely enjoyable afternoon by yourselves, or take an optional tour to Leshan Giant Buddha Statue. The Leshan Buddha tour includes a pleasant boat ride, providing a great opportunity to photograph the huge statue carved into the hillside.

After breakfast we take an hour drive to Zhujiang Dock and board our boat for a leisurely cruise down the picturesque Li River, surrounded by majestic limestone hills and rice terraces. The cruise is a great opportunity to witness the lifestyle of rural communities that live along the river banks. You are likely to see many forms of river transport, farmers busy working in the rice fields, children playing along the banks and water buffalo cooling themselves in the river.

Lunch will be served on board and we will disembark upon arrival at Yangshuo. This is a charming ancient town that is famous for its beautiful scenery and tranquil countryside.

A 2 hour countryside cycling is arrange for this afternoon, and much more leisurely paced and flexible option to explore Yangshuo as we can stop at any places. For guests not fond of bikes, electronic car is an option.

Optional Evening entertainment * The spectacular Liusanjian Impression show is an outdoor performance set to the scenic backdrop of Yangshou's mountains and rivers. This masterpiece combining awesome natural scenery with an excellent theatrical production.

Today, we take a flight to Shanghai and meet our local guide upon arrival.

After checking into our hotel and having a short rest, we start our city tour of Shanghai.

Our tour includes visiting Yu Garden, famous for its rock gardens, pavilions, halls and ponds. We then explore the famous promenade and marvel at the futuristic landscape of magnificent towers and building situated along the Huangpu River and the Bund.

Finally our tour takes us to the historic districts of Shanghai and we visit the former colonial French quarters, known locally as 'Heaven on Earth'.

Today, you will be met at your hotel and transferred to the Maglev train station in Shanghai (during train service hours).

Our local guide will assist you to board the futuristic and super fast Maglev train with a top speed of 267mph. The train will take you to the airport in time for your flight to Japan. Upon arriving at Narita Airport in Tokyo, you are met by our tour assistant and transferred to central Tokyo by Airport Limousine bus or train.

Morning city tour of Tokyo visiting Tokyo Tower and Meiji Shrine. Next we drive by the Akasaka Guest House and the National Diet Building, home to the Japanese House of Parliament. Our tour continues to the Imperial Palace East Gardens and a drive and stroll along Ginza high street.

Afternoon is free at leisure, or take an optional afternoon Tokyo city tour. Ask for details at time of booking.

You will be picked up from your hotel and driven by deluxe motorcoach to Mount Fuji. Lunch will be provided at a Hotel /Restaurant in Hakone.

In the afternoon we proceed to the Hakone National Park where we will take a cable car ride with the opportunity to see the magnificent volcanic Hakone mountain range below. We will then travel to the Owakudani Boiling Valley and afterwards take a boat cruise on Lake Ashi.

After the tour take Bullet train to Kyoto.

For your convenience and due to luggage restriction on the bullet train, we have arrange free luggage transfer to take your large luggage directly to Kyoto (1 bag per person).

Check out of your hotel and leave your luggage with the bell boy. Then you have free time to explore Kyoto on your own and we recommend visiting the magnificent Kiyomizu Temple or take a stroll along the Philosophers Path.

In the late afternoon / early evening proceed to Kyoto station by yourself and board your train to Hiroshima.

For your convenience and due to luggage restriction on the bullet train, we have arranged free luggage transfer to take your large luggage directly to Osaka (1 bag per person). Therefore prepare an overnight carry bag for your stay in Hiroshima

Rest of the day is free at leisure to explore Osaka, which is easily navigated using the underground subways. A must-see sight in Osaka is the magnificent Osaka Castle located in the city centre. Then explore Dotonbori which is one of the most popular streets in Osaka and runs adjacent to a canal. If you want to explore more historic culture then visit the beautiful and peaceful Shitennoji Buddhist temple, the oldest officially administered temple in Japan.

The air holidays and flights shown on Magical Explorer website are ATOL Protected by the Civil Aviation Authority. Our ATOL number is 6450. ATOL protection extends primarily to customers who book and pay in the United Kingdom. Click on the ATOL logo if you want to know more.

We Magical Explorer Ltd reserve our copyright, please contact us to obtain permission for use of any photos or literature from this site. We thank Japan, China and Korea National Tourist Organisations for use of various images on this site.